A look at some shows happening this Thurs., May 7.
Rock the Park with Coyotes, The Grid, Bomba Body & Dancing Co On this very special May edition of the monthly outdoor concert series, Rock the Park presents two New Orleans-based acts: Coyotes, an alt country outfit with whisky-kicking drive and a leader, singer-songwriter Duz Mancini, who has enough drawl in his vocals to lay claim to Southern roots even though he was born and raised in LA; and The Grid (stylized THE GRÏD), the instrumental funkadelic/hip hop production project of drummer/bassist/vocalist A.J. Hall. Can’t make RTP? Coyotes plays another free show Sat., May 9, at Green Bench Brewing in St. Pete, while The Grid hits The Bends in St. Pete (for free) later tonight. (Curtis Hixon Park, downtown Tampa)—Leilani Polk
ZZ Top with Jeff Beck This fine pairing led by iconic beard-wearing hard blues rockers ZZ Top and featuring warm-up from esteemed progressive axe slinger Jeff Beck was supposed to happen back in September. But when ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill slipped and injured his hip while on the band’s tour bus last fall (there’s a load of geriatric jokes in here and I bet both he and guitarist Billy Gibbons have already shared a few), the Texas trio was forced to re-schedule a slew of dates, including Tampa. Eight months later, it’s finally happening. Expect classic staples like “Pearl Necklace” and “Sharp Dressed Man” amid newer revving and grinding fare off 2012’s La Futura. (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa) —LP
An Evening with David Dondero Unique singer-songwriter (and former Florida Panhandler) Dondero makes another of his regular Bay area appearances. Fans may get a chance to see him at least once a year or so, but every gig is worthwhile, as you never know what you’re going to get; “quirky” doesn’t do justice to the originality, quality, and earnestness of both his material and performances. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) —Scott Harrell
Cosmic Gate with Ilan Bluestone As part of “Journey 2 SMF” – a string of electronic shows leading up to the fourth annual Memorial Weekend EDM event, Sunset Music Festival – Amphitheatre presents German progressive trance duo Cosmic Gate hits town with London’s heavier, house-influenced DJ/producer Ilan Bluestone. (Amphitheatre, Ybor City) —LP
ALSO TONIGHT
Come Back Alice with Holey Miss Moley Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin
Badda Skat Ringside Café, St. Petersburg
The Adam Randall Band Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg
Bunker Singer-Songwriter Night: Camille Dupree & Broken Fetters, Iris Calling, The Eloquent Barbarian Tre Amici @ The Bunker, Ybor City
THE GRID with Mike Mass, Hagan Lee, Free WiLL Vibin and Haze ALA The Bends, St. Petersburg
This article appears in May 7-13, 2015.
